Outlander 400 and 800 Review

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Outlander 400 and 800 Review - 5/21/2006 12:47:49 AM

AceShwetz

Posts: 50
Joined: 8/25/2005
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

Just picked up two Outy 400s and an 800, all XTs. My previous quads include a King Quad 700, Grizz 660, Prairie 650, Arctic Cat 500, Sportman 500, and a few others not even worth mentioning. Still keep a Rhino and Raptor 660 in the stable.

Put on about 5 hours on the machines in the last few days, and gotta say these are my favorite ATVs I've purchased so far. The only other ATV I'd put in this league of machines is the ol' Grizz.

The wife mostly rode the 400, but when we switched a few times I could not believe how much I loved it. So light feeling, peppy motor, Go anywhere type of 4WD, just an overall great experience. In a lot of respects, I would rather drive the 400 than the 800. Slimmer cases, more comfortable seating, much lighter feeling, and much better shifting between gears. These are just great little quads. We ran into a Kodiak 450 and Rubicon 500, this one could outdo both of em in the power and handling departments.

Onto the 800, I really can't believe this package. The motor is incredible, the only other 4WD quad I've had that is close to it (but not too close) was the Prairie 650. That motor is simply awesome, can rifle through anything. The handling is smooth and great, however the quad is a handful and quite heavy-feeling. The display is great, and a very comfortable ride all-around. Had is sunk past the exhaust for a few minutes and no probs with drowning out. I threw on some XTRs on 14" offset rims and this quad is as close to perfect for me as I could ever want. I do have some pet peeves on this bike though: front brakes squeal terribly when wet, shift is extremely notchy, and a major rattle is present (muffler?). Foremost, I really feel ripped off by BRP considering our strong dollar. But they are obviously selling like crazy since i had to wait 4 months for this one. (Was worth it).

So overall I feel the new crop of Can-Ams are the best quads on the market right now. I've owned every brand except Honda, and these BRPs are the best I've ever had. Top that with a 3.5 year warranty, and in my mind there is nothing in their league. They really are that good. The 800 is so fast, I think I might finally be able to sell the Rappy and concede my youth to a 4WD.

What are people thinking of the Dobeck controllers and HMF pipes added? Is twinair the only filter available for the 800s? I'm gonna have some fun with this one.

_____________________________

06 Outlander 800
05 King Quad 700
03 Prairie 650
05 Rhino 660
03 Raptor 660

Post #: 1

RE: Outlander 400 and 800 Review - 5/23/2006 2:12:53 PM

La_MigraTx

Posts: 3013
Joined: 12/13/2003
From: Texas
Status: offline

I agree Ace alot of people overlook the 400, but its a strong machine. Just imagine how the 500, and 650 will be received. Out of all the machines I own and have ridden this is by far the most enjoyable ride. Although the KQ 700 I am currently running is a great machine too (minus the power compared to the Outty 800). Enjoy your rides.

_____________________________

To many quads to list, and to many mods to list.

www.jacobsatvmagazine.com
www.jacobsatvadventures.com

(in reply to AceShwetz)

Post #: 2

RE: Outlander 400 and 800 Review - 5/23/2006 6:24:14 PM

back2sportsman

Posts: 1760
Joined: 11/24/2005
From: texas, dfw
Status: offline

the price of the bombs will hurt them more than anything, not everyone can spend 9000+ for an atv. and they new models are more expensive than last year. alot of guys are right this is starting to be a rich mans hobbie.

_____________________________

Back2 Productions

ADEE'S ATV STEALTH SNORKEL.
06 Can-Am Outlander 800xt. MUD Polaris Sportsman 500 X2 LE. http://www.jacobsatvmagazine.com

(in reply to La_MigraTx)

Post #: 3

RE: Outlander 400 and 800 Review - 5/27/2006 11:16:17 PM

AceShwetz

Posts: 50
Joined: 8/25/2005
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

Hey guys, just thought I would give my comparisons to past quads I have owned. Keep in mind I am a very aggressive trail rider that maxes out the limits of the machines quite quickly. In my opinion, the only quad that ever came close to these quads is the Grizzly. That quad was tough, strong, rode great, and would climb over anything anywhere. In comparison with the 800, I would say it felt much ligher and overall more compact and eaiser to handle. It had great power, and everything just felt right on it. The 800 most definately has more power than it, and feels more stable in a fast trail ride (almost like my Prairie 650, a small notch down fron it). The only thing that is undesireable on this machine is it feels like an 800 (unlike the Grizz that feels like a 400). It isnt always a bad thing however, since the thing is a rocket in every respect. Its really a tossup between these two for my fav overall machine.

In comparison with the 700 King Quad, the Can-Am blows it out of the water in every respect. Maybe I had a "bad" machine that got assembled on a Friday afternoon, but the King Quad had many probs with it that made it unrideable at times. The jerky steering was dangerous, as the the bars would rip out of my arms at any time. It rolled like crazy in the corners (much more than the Grizz), and it always seemed to bog and be down in the powerband. This made it extremely slow and cumbersome, as many 500s would be passing me. The most annoying thing was keeping the override button pushed in when requiring full power or speed with the diff lock in. At times it makes it impossible to keep things at the max. With the visco-lock it does the work for you - a great system. Overall, a terrible expeirence with the King. The Outtie has it beat in handling, suspension, features, power, and overal fit-and-finish.

The Prairie was a fun mahcine to ride, but had a choppy stiff ride and was overall quite a lemon over the three years I owned it. Furthermore, the plastic was absolute brittle garbage. The 800 seems to have the best plastic of any ATV I've purchased, has a standard 3.5 year warranty, and handles like a dream. To boot, it also has the most power of any 4by qaud I've rode (its surprisingly close the Rappy). The Prairie was a tough act to follow in that respect however, they set the bar for power with that one.

Agree or disagree, this is the honest truth on the 800 comparisons with similar models i have owned.

_____________________________

06 Outlander 800
05 King Quad 700
03 Prairie 650
05 Rhino 660
03 Raptor 660

(in reply to back2sportsman)

Post #: 4

RE: Outlander 400 and 800 Review - 5/27/2006 11:18:29 PM

AceShwetz

Posts: 50
Joined: 8/25/2005
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline

Thats funny how CUMbersome is bleeped out!

_____________________________

06 Outlander 800
05 King Quad 700
03 Prairie 650
05 Rhino 660
03 Raptor 660

(in reply to AceShwetz)

Post #: 5

RE: Outlander 400 and 800 Review - 6/26/2006 1:08:50 PM

Willy2006

Posts: 40
Joined: 6/24/2006
Status: offline

hey Ace thanx for the reviews, my grandpa just bought an Outty 400 and i was kind of doubting the power... i told him he shoulda bought an 800 but i think now i am going to tell him to stick with the 400. im gonna have fun with that beast this summer. Thanx alot Ace

(in reply to AceShwetz)

Post #: 6

RE: Outlander 400 and 800 Review - 6/26/2006 5:26:45 PM

Toyeboy

Posts: 227
Joined: 8/9/2005
From: Davison Michigan
Status: offline

Yeah you must have gotten a bad KQ 700...mine hasn't had one problem..and NO 500 can touch me.

_____________________________

05 King Quad
Uni Air filter
Awaiting VDI ECU to get rid of the STUPID "low end lag"

(in reply to Willy2006)

Post #: 7

RE: Outlander 400 and 800 Review - 6/26/2006 6:40:46 PM

BigDozer66

Posts: 5053
Joined: 11/14/2004
From: Lufkin, Texas USA
Status: online

quote:

ORIGINAL: Toyeboy

Yeah you must have gotten a bad KQ 700...mine hasn't had one problem..and NO 500 can touch me.

I agree!

I have never had any problems with my King!

I hope the Can-Am is as reliable as the King is.

BigDozer66

_____________________________

'05 King Quad, Warn 2.5ci, Amsteel Blue, 26" MST's on ITP C6's Team High Lifter Pro Staff
'06 Outty 800HO Warn 3.0xt, 27" MST's on Motosport Climax's, Ricochet skids, Alumatech CV Guards, BigDozer66 Custom Battery Protector

http://community.webshots.com/user/bigdozer66

(in reply to Toyeboy)

Post #: 8

RE: Outlander 400 and 800 Review - 7/2/2006 12:30:31 PM

Willy2006

Posts: 40
Joined: 6/24/2006
Status: offline

i kind of was thinking of getting a KQ but now that i have ridden on my grandpa's 400 XT i plan on getting an 800 XT... hopefully within the next year or 2 but i also have to think about getting a car... getting my licence soon so yah, kind of split decision now.

_____________________________

Lil' Willy
Bombs... the deadliest things on earth!

(in reply to BigDozer66)

Post #: 9